Bassetlaw firms urged to back business improvement district plans

Launch of Place Shaping Strategy for North Nottinghamshire at Hodsock Priory, George Buchanan speaks at the event

Published:15:20Updated:15:22Wednesday 20 January 2016

Firms in Worksop are being urged to back plans for a North Nottinghamshire business improvement district to help them prosper and drive inward investment.

Some of the biggest investors in the area are backing the creation of a BID.

Now a feasibility study is under way to provide a report of the opportunities and benefits it could bring.

A BID is defined by a geographical area where partners pull together to create a better place to live and work.

Led by the North Nottinghamshire Place Board, which includes business leaders from a number of high profile companies including Handelsbanken, DDC Outsourcing and Gamston Airport, a BID steering group has now been formed to drive forward the plans.

George Buchanan, board and steering group chairman, said: “We have achieved so much already since the board and the North Nottinghamshire Envoys ambassador programmes were formed in 2014, with the focus on three key themes – skills/talent retention, tourism and regeneration.

“Our envoys have ownership of the scheme and are really in the driving seat when we decide how this area’s future will develop.”

Historically, BIDs have focused on individual towns or industrial estates.

However, the board says it has ambitious ideas to create a BID for the whole North Nottinghamshire area.

The BID feasibility work started in January and the report will be finalised at the end of February, when the decision will be made whether to go to ballot.

n For more information and to complete the BID consultation survey, visit www.northnotts.co.uk